I missed the deadline on the 15th of January first TBR for the year, not because of busy-ness but because I had yet to read a book in 2025 by that date (let alone a book that aligned with the January topic of New Year, Who Dis? But then on Monday, I started reading a book in the morning and I finished it by night time because it was fun and lovely. And I can’t remember when I last did that with a full-length novel.
Reading Note 84:
Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters
The blurb…
A former child star learns that holiday magic can come from a change in perspective in this charming and hilarious holiday rom-com, perfect for fans of Love, Actually and The Holiday
A little holiday magic can change everything . . .
Charlotte hates the holidays. As a former child actress, she starred in a Christmas movie, whose fans won’t let her move on. When a piece revealing that her reluctance nixed plans for a reboot, she flees to London to spend the festive season with her sister.
But the ghosts of Christmas past follow her when she visits Eden Priory, one of the filming locations. When she’s accidentally left behind, she’s forced to accept a ride back to London from Graham, the son of the owners. Their family business – and the funds to keep their historic house running – relies on holiday cheer, and Graham knows seasons greetings from a certain star would bring in more visitors.
Now an illustrator, Charlotte accepts a commission illustrating iconic holiday movie scenes in London and its environs for Eden Priory, with Graham offering to escort her. But as Charlotte’s chaotic family holiday goes awry, she begins spending more time with Graham. Charlotte may not love a Christmas romance . . . but what if she has one of her own?
As the blurb states, Charlotte Lane is a former child star who has chosen a non-acting career as an adult, much to the dismay of her parents and lots of fans. Her one and only acting gig became a cult hit Christmas movie tritely called Christmas, Truly (that seems to have overundertones of Love, Actually). Charlotte hated the experience and is a crochety and utter bah-humbug over the whole Christmas commodification and love/romance celebration. She hates the Christmas movies, she can’t stand her own popular-culture status that perpetuates the love, she certainly has mum-and-dad-didn’t-love-each-other issues around this date. So, in general, she just hates Christmas revelry and joy.
Shallowreader 